South Dakota

Some of the key events about South Dakota

• 1803

  The Louisiana Purchase included the territory that would become South Dakota
• 1858

  The first permanent white settlement was established at present-day Sioux Falls
• 1862

  The largest mass execution in U.S. history occurred when 38 Dakota men were hanged in Mankato, Minnesota, following the Dakota War
• 1874

  Gold was discovered in the Black Hills, sparking a gold rush
• 1889

  South Dakota was admitted to the Union as the 40th state
• 1890

  The Wounded Knee Massacre took place, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of Lakota men, women, and children
• 1927

  Work began on carving Mount Rushmore National Memorial
• 1930s

  South Dakota was severely affected by the Dust Bowl, causing widespread crop failures and economic hardship
• 1936

  The state experienced its worst drought on record, devastating agriculture and exacerbating the effects of the Great Depression
• 1941

  Construction of the Rapid City Army Air Base (now Ellsworth Air Force Base) began
• 1952

  The Oahe Dam on the Missouri River was completed, creating Lake Oahe
• 1972

  A catastrophic flood in Rapid City killed 238 people and caused extensive damage
• 1973

  The American Indian Movement occupied Wounded Knee for 71 days, bringing national attention to Native American issues
• 1975

  The Pine Ridge Reservation shootout resulted in the deaths of two FBI agents and one Native American activist
• 1980

  A severe blizzard struck the state, causing 16 deaths and significant economic losses
• 1990

  The Mickelson Trail, a 109-mile recreational trail, opened in the Black Hills
• 1999

  A powerful tornado hit the town of Spencer, killing six people and destroying most of the town
• 2011

  Severe flooding along the Missouri River caused widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure
• 2016

  The Sanford Underground Research Facility in Lead began operating, conducting groundbreaking physics experiments
• 2019

  Severe spring blizzards and flooding caused extensive agricultural losses and property damage across the state

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.